Chicago Fire FC return to MLS action on Saturday night when they take on New England Revolution at Soldier Field.
The Wild Card hopefuls are out of form and require a turnaround in the regular season's concluding weeks, while the Revs are nearly assured a place in the post-season elimination games.
Match preview
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Chicago Fire are winless in MLS since July but could still end eighth or ninth in the Eastern Conference, guaranteeing a single-legged encounter to make it to the MLS Cup Playoffs proper.
The Fire have not claimed maximum points since Frank Klopas was temporarily placed in charge after Ezra Hendrickson's departure in May.
The MLS break has done them no favours, as the Fire had claimed five victories in six games before the league's hiatus in July.
While a spot in the Eastern Conference top seven is realistically out of reach, 11th-placed Chicago Fire are four points behind Montreal and three shy of DC United — they have played a game fewer than United.
Results are imperative for Klopas's side, who failed to make it to the post-season playoffs last year after finishing 12th in the Eastern and 24th overall.
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The visiting side are almost certain to participate in the competition taking place after the regular season despite the recent resignation of Bruce Arena, who had been placed on administrative leave before departing.
The experienced 71-year-old reportedly made "insensitive and inappropriate" remarks that led to his eventual exit, with Clint Peay appointed as interim boss on September 12.
Peay lost his first MLS game in charge on Wednesday, falling 2-1 at Colorado Rapids, but the Revs seek a return to winning ways after a three-game sequence without one.
Fifth-placed New England are assured to keep their top-seven spot this weekend due to the nine-point advantage they hold over eighth-placed Montreal.
They cannot drop lower than sixth, with Nashville five points back in the standings, giving the Revs room to breathe despite their dip in results and awful away MLS form.
Team News
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Xherdan Shaqiri was dismissed after receiving two yellows against Columbus, thus ruling out the Chicago Fire attacker for this weekend's game.
Mauricio Pineda is doubtful after his substitution before the half-hour in the same game, and the centre-back's place could be taken by Wyatt Omsberg.
Klopas is not expected to welcome back the sidelined trio of Federico Navarro, Victor Bezerra and Javier Casas Jr., who are in the wars until October; Chris Mueller is out for the season with a hip injury.
New England goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik is not due to return from his leave of absence until late September, expected to coincide with Gustavo Bou, Henry Kessler and Maciel returning from respective layoffs.
However, Brandon Bye and Dylan Borrero are sidelined for the remainder of the ongoing campaign through ligament injuries.
Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Brady; Souquet, Omsberg, Czichos, Patino; Herbers, Gimenez, Doumbia, Haile-Selassie; Kamara, Koutsias
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Edwards; Farrell, Gonzalez, Romney, Jones; Harkes, Kaye; C. Gil, N. Gil, Chancalay; Vrioni
We say: Chicago Fire 2-1 New England Revolution
New England are winless on their travels in MLS since early May, losing five from nine road games, and that run could become six losses in 10 against a Fire outfit capable of conjuring the odd result at Soldier Field.
How to watch
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